Apparatus for locating lids on cans



April 9, 1935. F. o. L. cHoRLToN APPARATUS FOR LOCATING LIDS ON CANS Filed July 24, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 9, 1935. F. o. L. CHORLTON 1,997,102

APPARATUS FOR LOCATING LIDS VON CANS Filed July 24, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 9, 1935. F. o. l.. cHoRLToN V1,997,102 APPARATUS FOR LOCATNCT LIDS ON CANS f 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 24, 1933 April 9, 1935'- F. o. L. cHoRvL-roN 1,997,102

APPARATUS FOR LOCATING LIDS ON CANS Filed July 24, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 *Z/ /7 ogg E@ 2f of Z7 2 l "4J ff 1,` l

Patented Apr. 9, 1935 'APPARATUS FOR `OFFICE FranltOscar Levi Charlton, Bury, England f Application July 24, 1933, Serial No.

In Great Britain August 10, 1932 y 11 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for locating lids on containers by clenching preparatorily to nal closure by al seaming Inachine, and is especially applicable' to those cases y where the charged containers are subject to a vacuum process before or whilst seaming when,

unless the lid is preparatorily held in proper position by'clenching, it is likely to be displaced in the act of seaming. The clenching` is effected by turning over, at two or morev (preferably three) places, the rim of the lid over the flared mouth of the container, the local turning-over being such as to form a smooth and continuous part of the complete seaming by which the final closure is made. The clenchin'g apparatus may be 'combined with the seaming machine in which the lids are fed from a magazine'tothe positioned containers, or may be adapted to clench the lids prior to the containers being passed to the seaming machine, in Whichcase the lids may be positioned on the container by hand, or be fed automatically thereto from a magazinefby the operation of the clenching machine, or by separate hand operated release means.

' The preferred form and modifications are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: l l v Figs, 1, 1A and 2 show a form of clenching apparatus adapted to be combined with a seaming machine; Fig. 1 being an elevation in medial section; Fig. lA a fragmentary section on the line IA, IA of Fig. 2; and Fig. 2 a plan in section on the line II, II of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the generalarrangement, where the clenching apparatus is combined with a seaming machine, and shows the mode in which the clenchingapparatus is actuated from thecam shaftof the seaming machine.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modification of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan andv shows a modification ofthe arrangement of Figs. 1 and 2.

Figs. 6, 6A, 6B and 6C are fragmentary elevations, and illustrate the mode of operation of the arrangement illustrated in Figs. l and 2.

Fig. 7 is a plan View of a lcontainer, and lid with the latter clenched in position.

' Figs. 8 to 10 illustrate a modification of the invention suitable for use Whenl it is desired to clench the lids in position on the containers before passing the latter to.l a separate seaming machine.

,l Fig. 8 is an elevation in medial section, and `shows a clenching machine in which the lids are applied to the containers, andv the latter located in the clenching position, by hand.

(c1. 11s-1s) Fig. 9' is an elevation,r in medialfsection, and shows a clenching machine provided with va magazine to hold a ystack of lids, and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary planview of suitable means of successivelyl releasing the lids in the 5 arrangement illustrated in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11l shows a clenching machine having a magazinein which the lids are stacked, and in whichv the lids are released and clenched bymeans similar to those illustrated in Figs. l and 2.

Referring iirst to Figs. l, 2 and 3:'- f

I is a angedlring termed the main ring which is attached bylugs 2 to a bracket 3 secured yt0 the'part 4 of the main frame of theseaming machine A. The bore of the ring forms a'magazine 15 adapted to hold a stack of lids B, and may be provided with vertical rods 5 to form an extension of the magazine. A ring 6, termed ,the carrier ring, is fitted to the outer surface of the cylindrical part of the main ring l, and is adapted. to slide on `the main ring, but is preventd from rotation relatively to the latter byk any suitable means,l for example by a key'la. fitted to the ring `l and a keyway 6a in the ring 6`.

, The clenching members l and supporting members il` arefcarried from the flange 6b formed at the lower end of the carrier ring 6. There are at least two clenching and two supporting members; preferably three are tted and alternately 'disposed alsl shown. Each clenching'member is 30 attached to the flange 6b of the carrier ring so as to be capable of sliding thereon -in a direction approximately radial to the central axis ar. x, with which the axisof the container C aligns when it is positioned for clenching. The sliding attachment may conveniently be made by bevellling the edges of the members 1 and 8 andproviding the usual V guides in the flange 6b of the carrier ring 6, as shown in Fig.v 1A. 1

f The members l and 8 are `provided with'respective actuating studs 9 and 91, the screwed lower ends '9a of which are screwed into and riveted over tapped holes in the said members; the body'parts A9b of the studs pass through and may be a sliding fit in slots 6d in therlange 6b, 45 andthe studs 9 and 91 carry at their upper ends rollers 9c and .80', which rollers iit cam slots formed in the iiange Illa of a ring I0 the rbore of which fits the outer cylindrical part ofthe carrier ring 6. The ring I0, which will be termed 50' the actuating ring, has a locating flange Ib and it is held against axial movement relatively to the main ring l` by means of the recessed splitsleeve lb which is bolted tothe flange llc of the main ring Ik. v455 The members l and 8 are preferably uniformly spaced round the axis at, .'r, and are alternately disposed. The rollers 9c of the studs 9 fitted to the clenching members fit cam slots I3 formed in the flange Illa, and the rollers 9c of the studs 9' fitted to the supporting members 8 fit cam slots I4 in the said flange. Pins I5 or pins and rollers are fixed to the actuating ring Il) andthese fit in circumferential cam slots 6c formed in the cylindrical part of the carrier ring 6.

It will be seen from an inspection of the shape of the cam slots I3 and I4, thatif angular movement in the direction of the arrow yjbe imparted `to the actuating ring I0, the cam slots I2, acting-.-

through the rollers 9c and studs 9` Aattached to the clenching member 1, will cause' the latter to move radially outwardly from the positions in which they are shown and the cam slots I4 acting through the rollers 9cr` and studs 8' attached to the supporting members 8 will cause the lat-v terV tomove radially inwardly from the positions in whichthey are shown, and that angular movement imparted to the actuating ring I0 in a direction opposite to that of the arrow y will in like manner impart inward radial movement to lthe members 'I and outward radial movement to the members 8.

Angular movement may be imparted to the actuating ring in any convenient manner; in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a section of the periphery of the actuating ring is provided with teeth IIlc, with ywhich are 'engaged by the teeth I6a. of a toothed section I6b formed at the end of a lever I6 pivoted on the stud I6c fixed to the part 4 of the Aframe of the seaming machine A. A lever IBd (see Fig. k3) is made integral ywith the lever I6, and is connected by a rod IBC to a lever I6f mounted cna stud Ipand a toothed segment I Bg the teeth of which mesh with rack teeth |611. vof a bar I6k slidable in the bracket I6j attached tothe main frame of the seaming machine A. al is the main cam shaft of the seaming machine,

and th cam a2 thereon engages a cam roller Iliml cnlthe bar IBk. The cam a2 is so shaped and `'timed that when a. container C `is byany suitable transfer meanspositioned on the vtable a3,

the. actuating ring I0 had angular movement imparted to it which causes, infthe manner hereis pivoted one end of the lever I'Ia pivoted at I1b on which is pivotally mounted a radius rod I1c, which is in turn pivotedat I'Id to the main arm a ofthe seaming machine. The short arm of the lever I'Ia. is Yconnected by a link Ile to the cam operated bar I1f slidably supported in the Vbrack- Vet I1g provided on its innerl end with the cam .wheel I'Ih through which to-and-fro movement is imparted to the bar Ilf by the cam a2 mounted on the main cam shaft al ofthe beading machine,.the shape and timing of the cam being ar-A ranged to impart, through the lever IIa, angular movement tothe ring 6 sothat-th'e clenching operation is performed in co-ordination with the operation ofr the seaming machine. f

I 'nstead of slidably mounting the clenching members l and the supporting members 8 ,asy described in connection with Figs. 1 to 3 they may approximating to radial movement in respect to the axis z, Y

Movement is imparted to the members Ia and 8a by cam rollers 9d and 9d' carried on studs 9e and 9e', the said rollers and studs being equivalent to the rollers and studs of Figs. land 2, the rollers 9d of the clenching members workingv in slots I3 formed in the actuating member I8 (see Fig. 1) and the rollers 9d of the supporting members 8a working in slots I4 formed in the said member I0 to which angular movement is imparted as described in connection with Figs. 1

to 3 or Fig. 4.

Thev shape of the operating face of the clenchy ing and supporting members is shown in Fig. 6 (see also Figs. 6A, 6B, and 6C showing the'mode of operation). 'I'he face of the clenching member 1 is transversely undercut as at 'Ic so that when the clenching member/reaches the inner limit of its stroke as shown in Fig. 6cit clenches a tangential portion bI of the lid B soV that the said portion engages with the iiared end cI Lof the container C. The upper portion of the inner edge of the clenching member is bevelled off as shown at 1d for a purpose to. be hereafter described. kThe upper portion of the inner `face of the supporting member 8 is cut away transversely to forma transverse lip 8c. The three lips 8c of the three supporting members 8 normally engage the underside of the lowermost lidof the stack `of lids and so support the stack in the magazine, vas

shown in Fig. 6 (in which, of course, one lip 8c only is shown). When the clenching stroke is made the lips .8c recede from under the lowermost lid and at the same time the bevelled edges Id of the three clenching members are inserted between the lowermost lid and the next succeeding lid of the stack in the magazine (see Fig. 6A).

When thelowermost lid is free from the supports 8c it drops into position on the container C (see Fig. 6b) the stack of lids being in the meantime supported by the inclined surface 1d of the three clenching members.

Prior to the actual clenching movement, shown in Fig. 6C as having been accomplished, a pin I5 on the clenching member III (see Figs. 1 and 2) engages in the slots 6e on the carrier member 6 the supporting members 8'to retract outwardly and allows the lowest lid of the stack'to drop in place upon the container. At the same time the clenching members I advance inwardly sowas to enter between this lid and the next lowestin the stack, so supporting the stack. 'Further movement of the ring I0 causes the ring 6 t0 descend, pressing the lid on the container by the members I and at the same time advancing them inwards so as to curi or'lip theedge over the flanged v theny takes place, retracting themember 1, lift- `the containers are passed to a process 'ing fthe ring and vadvancing the members 8 to receive and carry the stack of lids which the withdrawal of the support the members 1 has allowed to drop. The container is then removed and another 'takes its place, when the cycle is repeated.

` When used in conjunction with automaticcontainer feeding a trigger controlledA gear ofany well known form may beembodied in the gear connecting the mechanism to the source of motionl in-Ysuch a ymanner that the mechanism only operates-on the-movement ofthe trigger by the approachingcontainer; 1

- `The modification of the invention/above described is suitable for incorporation with'a seaming machine, but as stated, the invention is equally applicable to those cases in which a separate hand operated clenching machine is employed to locatethe lids'in position on ther containers before plantor to a seaming machine.

Figs. 8fto 11 illustrate suitable forms of hand operated clenching machines constructed in accordance with the invention. i

Referring first to Figs. 8 and9,-20 is a bracket or main arm of the machine, suitable for attachment to a table or other supporting means 22. 2| is a ring frame bolted-to the bracket 20. 23 is a plate carried by the ring frame 2|, said plate having ka centrally screwed bore into which the upper end'of the main ring 24 is screwed, the ring 24 serving to carry the clenching members 1f, the operating faces of which are constructed as described in connection withthefmember 1 ofFigs.1and 2.

The members 1f are operated by means of pins 26 attached thereto, which pins enter cam slots inthe actuating ring 21, which is mounted upon the externally cylindrical portion of the ring 24 and is secured in positoin and held against axial movement by the split sleeve k3l).

v Angular movement is imparted to the actuating yring 21 by providing a sector-like portionr of its periphery with teeth 21a with which engage teeth `29a formed on the quadrantal portion 29h of a bell crank lever 29e fulcrumed on a stud 29fcar,

Aried by the main frame 2| and angular movement .is imparted to the ring 21 by the operating handle of the bell-crank lever 29e. f The container C withthe lid in position thereon is located by hand centrally in respect to the ring 21 and clenching members1f-when`the latter are in their retracted position. The handle of the bell-crank lever 29e is then actuated, causing thevk rotation of the vring 21 and the cam slots therein,which slots by engaging pins 26 cause the clenching members 1i, of which there may be two orl three, (twoonly being shown in'Fig. 8),

to make` their inward or clenching stroke.

Thecontainer with the clenched lid retained in Aposition is removed and is replaced by a conf tainer with the lid vin position thereon, and the action repeated. Y

InFig. '9 the construction and action in regard to the clenchingiis as described in connection ,with Fig. a;

In Fig. 9, howevenpins 3| are tted to forma magazine to contain astack of lids and the mech- 34 and 35 to the ring 23. The twoquadrantal levers 32 and 33 are connected together by a link 31, and the-quadrantal lever 33 has a handle 36 made integral therewith. 'Each of the levers 32 and 33 `has .two projecting teeth 38 and v39. VIn the position shown in Fig. i the vlowermost lid of the stack of `lids in the magazine is supported by the oppositely located teeth 39. The rmovement of the handle 36 in the direction of the arroww causes teeth 39 to be moved outwardly and release the lowermosty lid in thestack; the teeth 38 moving inwardly in time to engage. the lid next above the lowermost lid, and to support thestack. i f

When` the'lidthus released has been clenched on the container by the operation of the handle 29e, and` another container has been placed in position, the handle 36 `is moved in a direction .opposite to the arroww, to the position shown in Fig. 10, the teeth 38 release `the ,lowermostglid, the teeth 39 moving inwardly to engage the lid next above the lowermost.` The Atting of the lids and the clenching of them in 'position being thus effected by the alternate operation of the handlesv29c and 36. r f f i L Fig. 11 shows a hand operated machine provided with a mechanism to hold a stack of lids, and in which the release of the lowermost lid.

combined action of clenchingv members 1g and supporting member 8g, in the manner described in connection rwith Figs. 1 and 2. f

With regard to the frame 20 and supporting bracket 2l, the construction issimilar to vthat described in Figs. 8 and 9. The main ring 40fis supported from the ring 2l, and on a cylindrical part of this ring a carrier ring 42 is tted by which the clenching members and supporting members are slidably carried as described.

The pins 42a by which these members are actu- .ated engage'cam slots formed in an actuating ring .42 Isimilar .in construction tothe actuating ring ated ldirectly by the cam slots, *and that angular movementis imparted to ,the actuating ring 42 by hand through the bell crank lever 4S, `4B,"the construction and action of the arrangementof Fig. 1l are similar to those described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. y 'A In the modications illustrated the container has been assumed to be a cylindrical container with a circular lid; the invention is, however, equally applicable to containers the cross-section other than circular, the shapefof the magazine being'modifiedaccordingly.y

Having now fully described -my invention, I declare that what I claim and desire to secure by' Letters Patent, ist- 1." The improved apparatus for locating lids on containers preparatorily to final closure, com- `prisingz-a carrier member andan vactuating member between which relative angular 4'moveprior to the act of clenching, is eiected by the 30 of which and the shape of the ylids ofl which are ment cantake .place approximately aboutk a central axis; means for producing such movement; means for locating the lids on the containers bei'ore clenching; a series of clenching members circumerentially spaced about the said axis and carried by the carrier member; each clenching member .having a clenching face adapted when itV is moved inwardly, to engage a section of the periphery of a lid on a container located inralignment vwith said axis and to clench the said section overrthe mouth of the container; means for connecting theclenching members to the carrier member which means constrain the movement of the clenching faces of the respective clenching members relatively to the carrier member, toa direction approximately radial tothe said axis;

`and means connecting the clenching members to ther actuating member and adapted, when there is relative angular movement between t he carrier member and the'actuating memberk to move said clenching faces inwardly to effect the clenching.` f

2. The combination with apparatus as claimed in claim 1, orfrmeans for holding the actuating member xed against axial movement, means for l holding the carrier member fixed against rotation, and means adapted, when the actuating member has angular movement impartedto it in-one direction to move the carrier member and clenching members axially towards the positioned container and thereby cause the clenching members to press the lid onto the container as the clenching action takes places. y i

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said means for locating the lids on the containers before clenching includes a magazine adapted to hold a stack of lids in alignment Withrthe central axis, and means for releasing the llowermost lids ofthe stack in succession. f

4. The combination with the apparatus claimed in claim l, of ;-meansfor holding the actuating member xed against axial movement, means for holding the carrier member fixed against rotation, andpmeans adapted, when the actuating member has angular movement imparted to it in one direction, to move the carrier member and clenching members axially towards the positioned container and thereby cause the clenching members to press the lid onto the con-` taineras the clenching action takes place; said means for locating the lids on the containers beforce clenching including a magazine adapted to hold a stack of lids inalignment with vthe central axis; and aser-ies of supporting members carried by the carrier member and spaced. between the clenching members, each `supporting member having a lip adapted in one position of the memb er to engage the underside of the lowermost lid of the stack; means for connecting the supporting members to the carrier member which constrain the movement of thesaid lips, relatively tothe carrier member, to a direction approximately radial tothe central axis; and means conn'ecting the supporting members to the actuating member adapted, when there is relative angula1-movementlbetween the carrier member and the actuating member. to effect the clenching to move said lips away from the lowermost lid kof the stack; the clenching faces of the clenching lowermost lid, and support the stack of lids dur- .ingthe `clenching movement. l

5. In a machine forclenching lids on :containersin combinatioman axially movable rotationally fixed carrier member; clenchingmembers connected to the carrier member so that their clenching faces are constrained to move approximately radially relatively to they positioned` con?` tainerz, supporting members connected tothe carrier member so that their supporting lips, are constrained to move approximately radially in relation tothe, positioned container; anractutingmember capable'of angular movements but held'against axial movement; means fobmprtingangularmavement to the actuating. member; means by which angular movement otthe v actuating member is caused to impart Seid approximately radial movement to thesaid clenching faces and supporting lips, respectively,y in `oppcrsite directions; means4 by f whichA ,said-)amulet movement of the actuating member imparts axial Amovement to the carrier member; ,a masazine adapted to hold `a stack of superposed lids adapted to be supported by engagement with the lowermost lid of the said supporting lips,v and before the latter releases said lid.- by engagement with the/succeeding lid of the-clenchingfaceaf 6. In apparatus for-locating lids on containers preparatorily to final closure; in combination; a fixed bracket; a main anged sleeve attached to the fixed bracket approximately* concentrieally with a central axis, said main flanged sleeve having a cylindrical portion, a carrier member comprising a flanged sleeve adapted to slide-on the cylindrical vportion-o! the main sleeve, butheld againstv rotation thereon;` an actuating member comprising a vflanged sleeve mounted on the cylindrical vportion of the carrier sleeve and rotatable thereon but fixed against axial movement clenching members secured' to the carrier member so that the clenchingv faces thereotare` constrained to move approximately .radially to the said axis; supporting members secured to the carrier member so that the supporting lipsithereof are constrained `to-move approximately radially to the said axis; studs attached tothe clenching members and tothe supporting members adaptedy motion is imparted to the actuating ring inthe direction to effect clenching, to move rthe-carrier ring and the clenching members towardslthe container with lid in position thereon and positioned i in alignment tothe central axis, andithereby to press the lid into contact with the container as it is clenched thereon; a magazine adaptedto hold va stack of lids in alignment with the posi-l tioned container so that the lowermost lid of the stack is supported by the supporting members i when thev latter areginr their innermost position,

the clenching faces of the clenching .members lhaving inclined .surfaces which as the supporting members are retractedare inserted between the lowermost lid and the lid nextabove .the lowermost ylid and are adapted .to support the stack of lids-while the-supporting members are `disengaged therefrom.

i 7. A manine as `tamed in claims m which the clenching members and supporting members are respectively slidably connectedv to the carrier member.

8. A machine as claimed in claim 5 in which the clenching members and the supporting members are pivotally connected to the carrier member.

9. A machine as claimed in claim 5 in which the respective connections between the clenching and supporting members and the actuating member comprise pins carried by the said members and respective cam Islots formed inthe actuating member. p f

10. A machine as claimed in claim 5 in which the clenching facesv of the clenching members have a horizontally disposed transverse recess to engage the section of the container lid to be clenched over, and a horizontally disposed latchlike projection adapted to enter between two adjacent lids in the magazine.

11. In a machine as claimed in claim 5, means for imparting angular movement to the actuating membercomprising a pivoted lever having at its free end a toothed section, and a corresponding toothed section formed on the actuating sleeve With which the teeth of the lever engage.

F. O. L. CHORLTON. 

